Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Romans 8:5-8 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
The desire of God for His church is clear- a church that is without spot or wrinkle - that is a Church that is pure. In the last part of this series, we considered the church without idolatry. We were able to look critically at two of the "idolatry check" questions. Have you done your idolatry check? Ensure this check is done to put you on the right path.
In today's message, we shall be looking at a church without flesh. A Church without flesh is a church where flesh is not prevailing. It is a church where the Spirit of God prevails. The flesh is not your skin but the part of our mind/Soul that is corrupted and has become active to sin and worldliness.
The Church today is guilty of worldliness, we have allowed that old serpent to deceive us, again and again, we have eaten the forbidden fruit.
How has the Church allowed the flesh to prevail? 1. Materialism in the church 2. Emphasis on entertainment 3. Too much pleasure, with spiritual exercise non-existence. 4. Acceptance of popularity rather than divine instruction or direction (democratic principle) 5. Seeking popularity and acceptance. 6. Freedom outside the scriptures. 7. Personality show in the name of branding. 8. Buying and selling of the spiritual. 9. Deceit and lies on the altar.
We must carry out a check as the Church of Christ and release our self for purging. The Church must be purged by the blood of Jesus to be free from the flesh. The Church without spot or wrinkle is the church without flesh. A Church that has been delivered from the hold of flesh and has allowed the Spirit of God to prevail. Submit yourself as an individual to the purging of the blood of Jesus until the entire Church is purged.
Prayer/declaration: O Lord, open our eyes to see our inadequacies as the Church and help us to make the most important decision to disallow the flesh from ruling over us. O Lord, purge us by the blood of Jesus and let us be clean.
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